Mussolini's Foreign Policy Flashcards
Aim of Mussolini’s foreign policy (quote)
“to make Italy great, respected and feared”
What did Mussolini think of war
part of national identity
taught sacrifice and discipline
Social Darwinists influenced Mussolini’s want for expansionism - why did Mussolini feel B and F weren’t deserving of their territory?
from descendants of the weak
Why was Mussolini’s foreign policy mild initially when taking office?
Nationals and Liberals dominated foreign office
Italy couldn’t afford war
Little influence militarily
What 4 territorial goals did Mussolini have?
- Abyssinia
- North and East African empire
- Gain Baltic ports (e.g Fiume)
- Break B/Fs hold on Mediterranean
Why was Corfu’s location crucial
located in Adriatic - important for Mediterranean dominance
When was the Corfu crisis?
1923
How much did Italy demand in compensation from Greece?
50mil lire
What was Mussolini’s first foreign policy success?
Fiume
When did Italy gain control of Fiume officially?
January 1924
What treaty was signed that gave Italy control over Fiume
Treaty of Rome
Who did Italy take control for Fiume over from?
Yugoslavia
When was foreign policy extended to Albania?
1926
What was signed that gave Italy increased influence over Albania?
Treaty of Friendship
What pact was signed in 1925 that involved Italy and focused on situation if war was declared between Germany and France
Locarno Pact 1925
When was a friendship treaty signed with Hungary?
1927
What did the friendship treaty with Hungary show Mussolini wanted to do?
Hungary was a revisionist state - shows Mussolini wanted to change peace treaty
What treaty was Italy signed up to that said nations would agree to settle differences via negotiation?
Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)
Name X2 reasons why Mussolini’s foreign policy became more aggressive from 1930s onwards?
- frustration w limited 1920s gains
- Nazi rise to power opened way for Italian ambitions
What foreign policy success did Italy succeed in in 1934?
Preventing Anschluss
How did Mussolini prevent Anschluss?
sent troops to Austrian border to deter Germany
German-Italian relations off to frictional start
When was the Stresa Front formed?
1935
What was the Stresa Front in response to?
German introduction of conscription and Luftwaffe
When was the Wal-Wal incident as part of the Abyssinia campaign?
November 1934
When did Italy invade Abyssinia?
October 1935
Which Italian led the Italian invasion of Abyssinia?
General Bono
Italy used what type of weaponry when invading Abyssinia that received international condemnation?
poisonous gas
When was the Corfu incident
March 1923
When was the acquisition of Fiume
January 1924
When was the Italian invasion of Abyssinia
October 1935
When was the Rome Berlin axis
1936
When was Mussolini’s state visit to Munich
July 1937
When was the Italian invasion of Albania
April 1939
When did Mussolini accept Anschluss
March 1938
When was the Munich conference
1938 September
When was the Pact of steel? Before or after the invasion of Albania?
May 1939
When did Italy declare non-belligerence?
September 1939
